FLORA AND FAUNA OF SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of San Luis Potosí is represented by species such as the abelia, the deer hoof, the pearl cichlid, the Coues rice rat, among others. San Luis Potosí is a state of Mexico that is located in the north-central area of ​​the country.

This region stands out for the conjunction of the biological richness of the arid, hot and humid regions that characterize it. In this sense, the relief is part of three large physiological provinces: the coastal plain of the Gulf of the North, the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Mesa del Centro.

Abelia. Source: Photo by David J. Stang Tepezcuintle. Source: MVHS-CR

Currently, it is one of the most important mining states in the nation. However, agricultural and livestock activities are also of great relevance in the regional economy.

Flora of San Luis Potosí

Abelia (

This semi-deciduous shrub belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It could reach around 3 meters in height, although it is generally not more than 1.5 meters. Its branches are reddish, pubescent and arched, so they could be somewhat pendulous.

As for its leaves, they measure 2 to 6 centimeters in length and are oval in shape, with a serrated edge. Furthermore, they are opposite, with the exception of those found in the central branches.

The flowers are approximately 1.5 to 2 centimeters long. They have a pleasant fragrance and are arranged in inflorescences, located at the extremities of the bush. Its five petals are welded, presenting rounded lobes.

Internally, the corolla is pubescent and white, with slight purple-pink hints. After flowering, which occurs from spring to early fall, the calyx remains attached to the plant, giving the abelia a reddish color.

The fruit is an achene with an elongated cylindrical-conical shape. Likewise, it is thin, with sepals at its apex.

Chaguillo (

The chaguillo is part of the Asparagaceae family. In San Luis Potosí, this species is found in the Sierra Madre Oriental, although it could be extended to the neighboring entities of Tamaulipas and Hidalgo, because they present the appropriate conditions for it to fully develop.

The stem grows up to 150 centimeters. The leaves are light green and arranged in the form of rosettes, 35 to 75 centimeters high.

In relation to the flowers, these are green, with tepals 7 to 11 millimeters long and approximately 4.5 millimeters wide. They are oval or oblong in shape, with hairy and cuculated apices.

They are sessile and the base of the crown is tubular. On the other hand, the filaments are greenish, however, some could be purple and others could have red tones.

The inflorescence is a green or reddish-brown peduncle. It grows straight, around 1.5 and 2.40 meters above the rosette. The Chinese maguey, as this species is also called, has a dark brown ellipsoidal capsule.

The inhabitants of the regions where the chaguillo is found, consume the flowers. Those that are still in button, eat them like vegetables. Meanwhile, with the escapes of the inflorescences they make a sweet.

In addition, the chaguillo is used as an ornamental plant, since, among other things, it grows easily in pots. Thus, it could be part of the decoration of different environments in homes and offices.

Deer hoof (

This geophyte cactus is endemic to the states of Nuevo León, Durango and San Luis Potosí, in Mexico. The species forms star-like rosettes, which rise a few centimeters above the ground. The stem of this plant is solitary, and can occasionally give rise to lateral shoots.

In relation to the tubers, they are yellowish green, long and lack spines. You are arranged in a spiral shape, one above the other. Additionally, the base is felted, while the top is flat.

The root of this species is thick, cylindrical and fleshy, similar to a turnip. This particular structure allows the plant to store water. In its natural habitat, the deer hoof is half buried, with the apical area almost flush with the ground.

The flowers of the deer leg, as Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is also known, measure 2.5 to 5 centimeters and are very bright purple pink. They are diurnal, lasting 3 or 4 days. The fruits are green or white, with a large quantity of seeds inside.

Fauna of San Luis Potosí

Pearl Cichlid (

This fish grows in lagoons and rivers with sandy substrates and clear waters. However, it could live in some areas that have mud. The male is usually about 16 to 30 centimeters long. Contrary to this, the female is smaller, reaching a maximum of 25 centimeters.

The coloration is brownish gray, with all bluish. Against this background, spots of a very bright blue tone stand out. In terms of body shape, the pearl cichlid is robust, being laterally compressed. In this way, their complexion is taller than it is broad.

The fins end in a point, however, the pectoral and tail fins are generally rounded. The head of this animal is elongated, with a mouth adapted to crush the crustaceans that make up its diet. In the dorsal region, males have a "hump" and are darker than females.

Generally, the Green Texas, as it is also known, has a fairly aggressive behavior. It is an opportunistic omnivorous animal that, motivated by the variety of nutrients in the biotopes where it lives, feeds on insect larvae, small fish and crustaceans. Also, it consumes algae and plants found in its habitat.

Coues rice rat (

Oryzomys couesi is a semi-aquatic rodent, which belongs to the Cricetidae family. It is distributed in southern Texas, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. The length of the body can be from 9.8 to 14.2 centimeters, with a long tail, which could measure up to 15.2 centimeters. The weight ranges between 43 and 82 grams.

Their fur is thick, with a coloration that, on the dorsal part, can be from a yellowish tone to a reddish one. Towards the sides of the body and on the cheeks it is lighter, while on the face and rump they are dark. Contrarily, the ventral area is white.

The ears, which are small in size, are black on the outside and on the inside it has a short fur in a reddish or yellowish gray hue.

The limbs are robust and long. The former have tufts of hair on each finger. The hind legs may have smaller pads, as well as sparsely populated nail tufts, almost absent.

Some species could have interdigital membranes, representing one of the adaptations of this rodent to its semiaquatic life.

It is an omnivorous animal, which feeds on plants, seeds and insects, among others. The Coues Rice Rat can swim and dive, but is also an excellent climber.

Tepezcuintle (

This rodent is large, and can weigh between 6 and 12 kilograms. It inhabits from Mexico to the north of Argentina, thus covering part of subtropical and tropical America.

This species receives very particular names in each area it inhabits. Thus, in Venezuela it is known as a lapa, in Ecuador it is called guanta and in Panama it is recognized as a painted rabbit.

The coat is thick, dark brown or black in the dorsal area and yellowish white in the ventral area. Generally, on both sides of the body, it has between three and five rows of white dots.

The limbs are strong and thick, with four toes on the front legs and five on the back. The tail of the parsnip is short and hairless.

The lowland bale, as this species is also known, is solitary and nocturnal. It lives in wooded regions, close to rivers with calm waters.

References

1. Xochizeltzin Castañeda-Camacho (2016). Biodiversity and Endemism in the State of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Panorama Scholary Platform. Recovered from panoramas.pitt.edu.
2. Llifles (2019). Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus. Recovered from llifle.com.
3. José Arturo de Nova Vázquez (2018). Endemic flora of the state of San Luis Potosí and adjacent regions in Mexico. Academy. Recovered from academia.edu.
4. Wikipedia (2019). San Luis Potosi. Recovered from en.wikipedia.org.
5. Encyclopedia britannica (2019). San Luis Potosí, state Mexico. Recovered from britannica.com.
6. Macdonald, G. 2013. Cuniculus paca, Animal Diversity Web. Recovered from animaldiversity.org.
7. National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (1985). Geographic Synthesis of the State of San Luis Potosí. Recovered from contents.inegi.org.mx.